How Do Youprime This Dam Fluval

Originally posted by stpower
mwood322

Buy a Filstar xP. Auto priming. You hook up the hoses with this very simple connector and push down the lever. AUTO filling. I have an xp2 never had a problem. Just my 2cents.
Click to expand...

that is what my 404's do too..... and i am doing nothing special i know of...... didnt even cut the hoses to length, just have them sort of coiled over the filter. i just keep the outlet below water......

and i have done the same thing with an empty, cleaned filter with no problems. i just usually add water as it takes alot of water out of the tank to fill it back up.
 
"Originally posted by stpower
mwood322

Buy a Filstar xP."

Great Idea!
 
sorry wrong post
 
Last edited:
I have cheap Chinese filters which would have to be the worst possible things to prime since they filter from the top down and so the air is always trapped in the top of the filter. Even so, if you fill the filter, cap it, top it up, have the filter lower than the tank, have the input line full, then it will start perfectly every time. It can't do anything but work. It has the silly little plunger things but I never use them. Other filters are even better to start, once you have it all full.
 
The output is supposed to be under water too!


DodgeIntrepidV6 said:
I just got a 304. All hoses attached properly and output is above water. I prime it and hear water come then keep primer in down position but only hear a little water fill. This keeps happening and I cant get a contious flow. I plugged it in quickly and heard the motor sound like its dry 2 seconds later I unplugged it. Any info tonight would be ver helpful. Thanks Im very frustrated
Click to expand...
:dive2:
 
Fluval Priming

I've had 2 204's for 3 yrs. After about 2 yrs the priming pumps don't work anymore - the internal suction cup-like things get worn and don't draw enough water. To prime, I have to disconnect the hoses and suck on the inlet one to start the siphon, close the valve, and insert the connector back in. I have a small bucket I use to catch the water that comes out before I can close the valve. It takes practice. I only have to do this if I want to remove the hoses for cleaning. Otherwise, I just leave them in place. Even if I'm not priming, I remove the hose connector anyway, because I like to take the whole unit, top and bottom, to the sink where I can clean the impeller. I use a toothbrush and brush very lightly, because the impeller blades are easy to break. Also, I use needle-nose pliers to pull out the impeller and its plastic holder. I have to say the Fluvals have been working for three years, they are quiet, and they keep the water clean. I like the media baskets. But when these finally die I'm getting something better. No more Fluvals for me.
 
kefler said:
The manual is WRONG!! you HAVE to have the output BELOW the water level.. if it is above the silly primer thing will do the EXACT OPPOSITE and actually send air BACK OUT the intake!
Click to expand...

Hmmm. This must be epidemic with filter manufacturers. I have a Rena and the manual tells you the exact opposite of how the filter media should be stacked inside. After four weeks, I finally realized this and couldn't believe the difference in my water quality once I corrected it.
 
I prefer to have the filter empty as recommended by the manufacturers, I then blow though the outlet until air bubbles come out of the inlet, this clears the tubing of water

Then one quick suck on the OUTLET until you hear water pouring in to the filter, you then wait a few minutes with the outlet just out of the water until the water level in the pipes are the same level as the tank and turn it on.

This method must work every time, if it doesn't there's a blockage or a leak.

If you don't fancy sucking then a syphon bulb will work as well.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
kefler said:
The manual is WRONG!! you HAVE to have the output BELOW the water level.. if it is above the silly primer thing will do the EXACT OPPOSITE and actually send air BACK OUT the intake!

I spent 3 hours on this a few weekends ago with a new fluval 404. Go to the www.hagen.com website and check out the manual there.
Click to expand...

The manuals on the Hagen website still say that the outlet should be out of the water which I agree with. The outlet is better out of the water because as the water enters the filter it needs to allow the air to escape, his can be done much easier if it's not under water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom